Siakam scores 35. Raptors win 3rd straight against Hornets

TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 35 points, Scottie Barnes added 21 and the Toronto Raptors have won three consecutive games for the first time this season, beating the Charlotte Hornets 124-114 on Thursday night.

Gary Trent Jr. was credited with 19 points while O.G. Anunoby was 15th as the Raptors beat the struggling Hornets in a pair of home matches. Toronto led by as much as 18 points and never lost. Charlotte has lost five consecutive home games to the Raptors.

Fred VanVleet had 11 points, Precious Achiuwa had 10, and Precious Achiuwa had a career-high five steals. Toronto moved to 3-2 after a six-game homestand that reached a record season. It ends Saturday against Atlanta.

Siakam scored 11 points, going 3:3 from 3-point range and 10:12 at the line in his 50th 30-point game.

LaMelo ball scored 32 points, before fouling out. Terry Rozier scored 21 points for Charlotte as Charlotte lost its sixth consecutive game.

Ball made 11 of 19. He missed a 3 pointer with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter which would have brought the deficit down to two. Ball missed a drive layup on the next possession. VanVleet replied with a 3-pointer to put Toronto up by 117 to109 with 48 seconds remaining.

Charlotte made 10 turnovers in Tuesday’s loss and had a season-worst 22 miscues Thursday, leading to 26 points by the Raptors.

Mason Plumlee scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Hornets, who are currently 5-21 against Eastern Conference rivals.

Siakam, Anunoby scored 12 points each in the first quarter. The Raptors were leading 38-29 after the first quarter.

Ball scored 13 in the second. Charlotte however turned the ball over eight time in the quarter. She also coughed up five possessions on the same stretch. Toronto led by 69 to 55 at the break.

Siakam scored 10 points in the third. However, the Hornets closed the gap to Rozier’s 14 points. Toronto led 97-88 in the fourth.

TIP-INS

Hornets – F Gordon Hayward (left leg hamstring) missed his fifth consecutive game, and G Kelly Oubre Jr. missed his seventh. … Dropped to 6-18 on the road, and 1-9 against Atlantic Division teams.

Raptors: Made 12 of 15 baskets in the opening quarter. … Barnes had nine assists and eight rebounds… Shot 10 for 28 from 3-point range after making a season-high 20 from long distance Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Hornets: Host Boston on Saturday night.

Atlanta hosts Raptors Saturday Night.

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